Choose polyester knit for match jerseys where the print has to look sharp, and mesh for training kit, basketball jerseys, shorts and bibs where airflow matters more than fine detail. Those are the two team jersey fabric types we offer, and both are polyester, because sublimation only bonds properly with polyester fibres.
Why team jerseys are polyester
Sublimation turns printed dye into a gas under heat and pressure. The gas enters polyester fibres and sets there as they cool. The colour becomes part of the fabric rather than a layer sitting on top, so it does not crack or peel the way a thick print can.
Cotton does not take sublimation dye in the same way. That is why every jersey, pair of shorts and bib on our white label team jerseys page is cut from polyester knit or polyester mesh. The choice is not between fibres. It is between two fabric structures.
Sublimation is printed onto white or light polyester. Any colour in your design comes from the print, not from the fabric. So you never need to match a dyed fabric to your crest colours. You plan your colours in the artwork.
Polyester knit: the smooth option
Polyester knit is a closed, smooth fabric with a fine surface. Because there are no holes in it, the print lands on a continuous surface and fine detail stays clear: thin pinstripes, small sponsor text, gradients, and photographic textures.
It suits:
- match jerseys where the crest and sponsor logos must read cleanly in photos
- cricket shirts, which are often longer-sleeved and worn for long hours outdoors
- cycling jerseys, which sit closer to the body and need a smooth face
- shorts for a full match set where the pattern continues from the shirt
Polyester knit feels smooth against the skin and keeps a neat shape on the hanger. If your buyers are clubs that also sell supporter shirts in their own design, the knit gives the cleaner retail look.
Mesh: the open option
Mesh has an open, net-like structure that lets air through. It feels lighter and looser in the hand. The holes mean the print lands on less fabric, so very fine detail can look softer up close, but bold stripes, panels, numbers and blocks of colour work well.
Mesh suits:
- training kit worn for long sessions
- basketball jerseys, which are sleeveless and loose
- shorts, where an open fabric is comfortable for running
- training bibs, which are pulled on and off over other kit
Bibs are often ordered in two or three contrasting colours, so teams can split into sides quickly. Mesh is the usual choice there.
Comparing the two
| Polyester knit | Mesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Smooth, closed | Open, net-like |
| Print detail | Fine detail stays sharp | Bold designs read well |
| Feel | Smooth, neat drape | Light, airy |
| Common use | Match jerseys, cricket, cycling | Training kit, basketball, shorts, bibs |
| Available for cycling jerseys | Yes | No |
Both fabrics carry names and numbers by sublimation. Heat transfer can add extra names or badges after printing on either one.
Mixing fabrics and deciding quickly
Many teams use both. A football academy might order match jerseys in polyester knit, so the crest and sponsor print well, with mesh shorts and mesh training bibs. A basketball club might go the other way: mesh jerseys and knit warm-up tops.
Mixing fabrics is simple to plan because each piece is its own style. The minimum is 100 pieces per style, with sizes mixed within it. So a set of 100 knit jerseys and 100 mesh shorts is two styles, each at its own minimum.
One point to watch is colour. The same artwork can look a little different on knit and on mesh, because mesh shows less printed surface. If the jersey and shorts must look like a perfect match, ask for both pieces in the sample. We prepare a layout for approval before printing, and the approved sample becomes the reference for the bulk order.
How to decide quickly
Ask these questions about each piece in the kit:
- Will it be photographed with a crest or sponsor logo that must be sharp? Choose polyester knit.
- Is it for training, warm weather or a loose-fitting sport? Choose mesh.
- Is it a cycling jersey? Choose polyester knit.
- Is it a bib? Mesh is the usual choice, with polyester knit as an option.
- Is it shorts? Match them to the use: knit for a match set that continues a pattern, mesh for training.
If you are building a new kit range, our guide on how to start a teamwear brand covers how to pick a sport and plan a first order around these pieces.
Get the fabric right before you print
Send us the sport, the pieces in your kit, how they will be used and your design. We will suggest knit or mesh for each piece and confirm it in the quotation, priced per style by fabric, quantity and branding. A sample in your design is the surest way to see both fabrics before you commit.